College days and loans

This is actually a picture of Troy University from my Youth Conference trip, but it works.

So, I've been thinking and praying about going back to school. I think I would love to study speech pathology or as it is called at the universities, communicative disorders. One of my favorite classes in my undergraduate studies was my linguistics class. I find language so interesting. My fear is that I would fail because my brain is too weak to remember anything anymore. Brain power is returning slowly, but can I really study and remember information? I don't know. 

Actually I couldn't study communicative disorders unless I moved closer to a university that offered that program. The University of Alabama is the closest at the moment, but way to far to commute everyday. A more realistic option to further my education and begin a career is in education. The University of North Alabama offers an Alternative 5th year teaching certification for people like me who have an undergraduate degree but decide they want to teach. I would take about 2 semesters of education courses and then student teach for a semester or so. Then I would graduate with a masters, and I could teach in Alabama schools. I could teach high school English of course, but I could also teach middle school. I think I would be happiest teaching special education however.

If I taught in our county, I could also qualify for student loan forgiveness:) That would be a huge plus considering that in the 10 years since I graduated from college I have only reduced my student loans by about 10%. On an even sadder side, I have paid lots of interest! I used to get quite depressed about this, but after a lot of prayer I have realized that I have learned a lot from student loans. I believe it's an important part of the education I received, and I hope I will avoid similar pitfalls as a result. Here is what I have learned:

-Interest can work for you or against you. 

-Interest doesn't sleep or take vacations. It keeps working.

-Credit sounds really nice, but it usually isn't.

-Learning from other people's mistakes with student loans would've been cheaper.

-Loan companies, even through the government, don't care if you are pregnant and sick and can't work to earn money to make payments.

-There is a VERY BIG difference between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans. 

-The student loans that I took out as a young, single person have a huge affect on my husband and four children. 

-I could have lived more like the broke college student that I was rather than living slightly more comfortably off of student loans.

-Even when the Lord forgives you for taking too many student loans, you have to pay them back.

Backyard picnic

At times we find it necessary yet difficult to escape the daily grind of work and church. We also find that the very walls of our home feel as though they are crushing the very life out of us. I realize that sounds pretty bad, but I am trying to help you understand why I cooked sauerkraut and hotdogs in a skillet on charcoal briquettes in Alabama heat in my backyard when I had a functioning kitchen. Why I chose to carry a dining table and 6 chairs outside to my backyard to eat with bugs. Why I snuck around my home whispering orders to the children about all the condiments and such that they had to carry to the table in our backyard. As pathetic as it seems, it worked. We surprised Paul with a "BBQ?" or "Picnic?" We ate our dinner with the bugs, and Dad breathed a sigh of relief while he ate staring at the blue sky. I am sure our neighbors wondered, but we enjoyed it.

I forgot to get the camera out until after dinner, but here we are, Sorry!

My sweetheart turning the very large compost pile after dinner. We have had 3 volunteer tomato plants from it this summer. Note the "garden" in the background. Every year I honestly think I will be a better gardener. This year I have grown very healthy grass and 3 cucumbers. The tomatoes are growing but haven't ripened yet. My fertilizing in May only killed 4 or 5 tomato plants. I am so proud! I am amazed that I still have 4 children. I guess it's because they have learned to feed themselves to some extent, and they don't require weeding.

He was happy eating outside with the flies. Honest!

Yes, we did smores too. I hope the video below works. If so, check it out.

We weighed Luke last night, and he is officially 45 lbs. now. Leah is 50. Sarah is 56. Eliza might be mad if I told her weight. Let me just say that she is very tall, and her weight reflects that fact.

 

My Long Legged Guitar Pickin' Man

While I was off visiting family in NC the last weekend in May, my sweetheart was performing on the big stage at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Songs included in their set were: Sweet Home Alabama (of course!), Free Bird, a couple songs by Sugar Land, You Look Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, Pride and Joy by Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Famous in a Small Town by Miranda Lambert. Paul played rhythm guitar and sang backup in most of the songs, but he sang lead in Jenny Jenny 867-5309 and Last Dance with Mary Jane by Tom Petty. Although I missed the big performance, I got to see the video, and my husband ROCKED! I am so proud of him!

Youth Conference

Last week I went to a six stake Youth Conference at Troy University. There were more than 500 14-17 year olds and about 100 adults. It was awesome! Speakers were flown in from all over. My favorite was Chad Hymas. Please take a few minutes and go to this link. I suggest you read Just Cut the Dang Strings and One Stripe at a Time. If you are in need of inspiration or a little umph, you can find it in his life stories. Hearing him tell it in person was so moving. I will never forget it. What I took away from him . . . "You can't do it alone," "Many are called, but few are chosen because we choose to not follow," "Your greatest gift is your time," and "Those that know Him have no fear."

I also loved hearing Elder Cornish of the Seventy speak. Here are a few tidbits I gleaned from him:

"You can't pray a lie" -Huck Finn

You don't have to be perfect to pray.

If your prayers aren't being answered the way you want then Heavenly Father probably wants more for you. 

I can't end this post without mentioning that at the dance Thursday night I sat down on the bleachers and began to croquet. Yes, I was prepared for a long 4 hour dance without my sweetheart. I must admit I was feeling bad. The second song was a slow one, and the DJ encouraged the boys to find a dance partner. The next thing I know a young man, probably 14 years old, asked me to dance. I was in shock. Is the room that dark? Can't he see that I am an old person? Is he confused? "Me?" I asked. He replied "Yeah! It's okay. Come on!" I was very flattered, but I told him there were a lot of young women waiting to be asked. He understood and went merrily on his way to find a dancing partner. The young man, Taylor, made my night. Though he will never read this, Thank you Taylor!

Pioneer Day Festivities

This afternoon we joined our branch for a Pioneer Day BBQ. It was very hot out, but the food was yummy! I enjoyed sitting in the shade while my dear husband took the kids down to the beach to swim. Am I a blessed woman or what? 

Thank you Love!

 I don't recall the water being quite this murky looking.

No, I didn't blacken out my daughter's teeth. That is chocolate cake. She was very impressed with her ability to coat her teeth.

Sarah grabbed a stem quickly and stayed dry. That is until she stuck her head in the water.